Posts Tagged ‘VA’

Looking for a unique Christmas or Holiday gift this year? Something not from a store? Check out Nadine’s Folly, Glass Art, of Ashburn.

I joined Nadine on her typical morning commute to her studio, “It’s a killer!,” she says, “Sometimes, the kitchen slows me down!!” We ended up in the basement with a computer, materials, machines, and a comfortable client area where I was shown the process of creating glass art.

How does it happen? Want artglass but don’t have a design? Nadine has several reference materials, such as catalogs and magazines, to generate an idea. When I suggested drawing my own design she smiled, and said “of course, someone can do that, that’d be great!,” She assists you from start to finish with every single detail.

After selecting/creating a design the excitement begins. She takes your design and draws it out in detail. Then, uses a computer program to enhance it and fill the colors. During the design stage, she works closely with the client to get the design exactly as you envision, before the actual creation begins!

Once the client approves, glass selection is next. She has quite a selection to choose from and can order pieces. Now, she gets to have the fun she’s done for 30 years! She will cut, grind, foil, solder, clean, and polish the glass to create art.

Nadine’s had the opportunity to create artglass for clients including Loudoun County and Fairfax schools, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation in Ashburn and a Synagogue in Falls Church. Her fondest memory is at Legacy Elementary School where a stained glassed window was dedicated to a young boy who recently passed away. The work included Labrador Retrievers, music, sun, soccer ball, science, flowers and his favorite colors, red and blue. The work was placed by a garden named after the student.

Nadine’s art career began as a portrait artist but changed after she sat in on a stained glass class for her husband. She studied fine arts at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She is currently serving as Secretary for the International Guild of Glass Artists and President of the National Capital Art Glass Guild.

Want to Christmas shop? The website is, www.nadinesfolly.com, contact her soon! Nadine’s work is one of a kind and unique, you’ll need to plan to have that special Christmas present.

The Loudoun Lyric Opera has an upcoming production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni – The Infamous Tale of Don Juan. I figure, what better intro to opera than the “romantic trail of the world’s greatest lover“? I’m down with that.

So I asked my friend, Pamela Butler, President and Founder of the Loudoun Lyric Opera for some help. And luckily for me, her husband, David Butler was just putting on the finishing touches to a Loudoun Lyric Opera FAQ, which humorously portrays the opera experience from the long-suffering-husband-point-of-view and is filled with lots of good pointers.

Here’s just a sample:

Q: I don’t think I like opera! Why should I go to this one?
A: I used to think that too. My wife, though, loves to perform opera so I’ve had no choice but to go. I’ve been to way more than my life’s quota, but what I’ve found out is that it can actually be fun! Operas are kind of like wine. When you first start to drink wine, don’t drink a heavy, dry red. You may never drink wine again! Most folks start with something like a white zinfandel. Hated by wine snobs, but loved by most folks, especially those that don’t drink much wine.

Click HERE to read the rest. Frankly, I don’t feel bad for David one bit. Looks like fun to me! So come on out and check out some opera and support this unique group of artists in our midst! It’s coming up this weekend, so hurry up and get your tickets!